Mold-charging device



R. T. McGEE.

MOLD CHARGING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 16, 1919.

Patented Oct. 26,1920.

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RICHARD T. McGEE, 0F WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA.

MOLD-CHARGING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 26, 1920.

Application filed October 16, 1919. Serial No. 331,002.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, RICHARD T. MoGEE, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Wheeling, county of Ohio, and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mold-Charging Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates broadly to mold charging devices, and more specifically to an apparatus for introducing molten metal, as aluminum, tin, lead, and zinc, in molds or dies for casting purposes.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient apparatus whereby, in the manufacture of die castings, molten metal may be readily transferred from a melting furnace or pot to shaping molds or dies in regulatable quantities.

A further object is to provide a device of the character mentioned which is particularly applicable to the manufacture of small lead, tin, zinc, or aluminum castings, such, for instance, as collapsible tubes of the character commonly employed as containers for pastes, paints, and the like. With these and other objects in view, the

invention resides in the features of construction, arrangement of parts and combination of elements which will hereinafter be fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a central vertical section of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top partly in section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the link connection between the operating lever and the socketed head; Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the twoplan view of the same,

part clamp;

Fig. 5-is an enlarged detail section showing the lining employed with the diaphragm; and

Fig. 6 is a detail section of the diaphragm, still further enlarged.

Referring to saiddrawings, in which like designating characters distinguish like parts throughout the several views 1 indicates a shell or casing, preferably of cast iron, having mounted thereon or formed integral therewith a bowl '2 for the reception of molten metal. Rising vertically within said bowl, preferably in a central position is a standpipe 3 through which delivery of the molten metal to the bowl is made, said metal being conducted from the melting furnace or pot (not shown) to the lower end of saidstandpipe by a pipe 4 which has a suitably located check valve 5 whereby the return flow of metal through said pipe is prevented. Leading outward from the lower part of said bowl is a pipe 6 through which metal may be conducted to the mold or die, as will hereinafter be described, said pipe having its outer end located above the highest level which may be taken by metal in the bowl. Said pipe 6 may be arranged to pour metal conducted therethrough into the top of a mold, or it may discharge vertically into a mold throu h a mold base or support, as the support shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A check valve 8'may be provided in the pipe 6 to prevent the return flow ofmetal through said pipe.

Mounted over the bowl 2 is a flexible diaphragm'9, thesame having its peripheral portion resting upon a flange 10 of said bowl and secured to said flange in a suitable manner, as by means of bolts 11 directed throu h said parts and an overlying ring ,12. Said diaphragm is preferably composed of a plurality of thin sheets of copper disposed in laminated relation to provide increased resistance to rupture through bending strains while affording the requisite degree of flexibility. Said diaphragm is formed with a central raised or elevated portion 9 which constitutes a knoblike head to which attachment of means for depressing the diaphragm may be had. Said head is provided with a reduced neck portion providing an annular channel 13 of dovetail form. Mounted in embracing relation to said head is a clamp 14 composed of two companion members which, as shown in Fig. 1, are of semi-circular form and have internal bottom flanges 14 received annularly by said channel 13 in the neck portion of the head 9*. -The under or. bottom faces of the clamp members are preferably inclined outward and upward from the peripheral edges of said flanges 14, as shown in Fig. 1, so that downwardly directed force applied to said clamp 14 for depressing the diaphragm 9 acts to produce a gradual bending of the latter from the neck outward, preventing abrupt flexure which might tend to rupture the metal of the diaphragm.

Following application of the members of the clamp 14 to the head 9 of the diaphragm, a socketed head 15 is mounted in overlying and embracing relation to said clamp for holding said members in position, said head 15 being suitably attached, as by bolts 16, to said clamp members. An operating lever 17 is suitably connected to said head 15 whereby the latter may be lowered for depressing the diaphragm. As shown in the drawings, lugs 18 carried by said head 15 have pivotally connected thereto'the lower end of a substantially upright link 21 which is pivotally connected at its upper end to said lever 17 intermediate the ends of the latter. The forward end of said lever is pivoted upon a suitable fulcrum which, as herein shown, consists of a bracket 19 mounted upon a side of the casing 1.

The standpipe 3 is employed with a view to providing means for permitting of the free and unretarded flow of metal to the bowl which would be wanting were the metal caused to enter at the bottom of, or below the level of metal in, the bowl. The open upper end of said standpipe is disposed well up within the central pocket produced 'in the under part of the diaphragm by the shaping of the head 9 as hereinbefore described, so

that it will at all times discharge above the level of the metal in the bowl.

To guard against the molten metal coming into contact with the metal of the diaphragm, which, as hereinbefore stated, is preferably composed of laminated copper plates, a lining 20 of a suitable material, as asbestos, is employed. This lining is particularly advantageous when the molten metal being handled is aluminum.

In practice, the molten metal is permitted to flow to the bowl as fast as is required to maintain a certain readily workable depth.

thereof in said bowl, it being desirable that it be maintained at a level very closely approaching, if not in direct contact with, the diaphragm when the latter occupies its normal position. When it is desired to eject a quantity of the metal for casting, as into a mold superposed upon a base or support 7, the diaphragm 9 is depressed within the bowl by operation of the lever 17 to effect displacement of the quantity of metal required, which is forced outward through the outlet pipe 6. With a little practice, an operator can very accurately determine the extentto which the diaphragm must be depressed to effect the discharge of the quantity of castings. Obviously, the actuation of the diaphragm may be accomplished by hand or by any suitable mechanical means.

Any desired fluidity of the metal passing part of the metal required in the productionthrough the apparatus is maintained by means of a heating device consisting of a suitable gas-burner or burners 22 suitably located within the inclo'sure constituted by the casing 1. p

What is claimed is- 1. Apparatus for charging metal-casting molds or the like, comprising a receptacle, means for conducting molten metal to said receptacle, means leading from the lower of said receptacle for conducting the metal to the mold, and a flexible diaphragm mounted upon said receptacle and depressible within the latter for ejecting metal through the last-mentioned conducting means.

2. Apparatus for charging metal-casting molds or the like, comprising a receptacle,

means for conducting molten metal to said receptacle, means leading from the lower part of said receptacle for conducting the metal to the mold, and a flexible diaphragm mounted upon said receptacle and depressible within the latter for ejecting metal through the last-mentioned conducting means, said diaphragm consisting of laminated sheets of metal.

3. Apparatus for charging metal-casting molds or the like, comprising a receptacle, means for conducting molten metal to said receptacle, means leading from the lower part of said receptacle for conducting the metal to the mold, and a flexible diaphragm mounted upon said receptacle and depressible within the latter for ejecting metal through the lastmentioned conducting means, said diaphragm being shaped to form a central raised head, and means seated upon and attached to said head whereby said diaphragm may be depressed.

4. Apparatus for charging metal-casting receptacle and depressible within the latter for ejecting metal through the last-mentioned conducting means, said diaphragm being shaped'to form a central raised head having a reduced neck providing an annular channel, and means seated upon said head and having a portion received in said channel whereby said diaphragm may be depressed.

5. Apparatus for charging metal-casting molds or the like, comprising a receptacle, means for conducting molten metal to said receptacle, means leading from the lower part of said receptacle for conducting the metal to the mold, and a flexible diaphragm mounted upon said receptacle and depressible within the latter for ejecting metal through the last-mentioned conducting means, said diaphragm being shaped to form and means attached to a central: raised head having a reduced neck providing an annular channel, a clamp embracing said head, and an operating lever having connection with said clamp whereby force may be applied for depressing said diaphra 6. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a bowl-like receptacle, means for conducting molten metal to said receptacle, a discharge pipe leading from said receptacle and through which, said metal may be discharged at a higher elevation than the level of the metal in the receptacle, a flexible diaphragm overlying the metal in the receptacle and having its peripheral portion mounted upon said receptacle, a knoblike head formed centrally on said diaphragm, and means attached to said head whereby said diaphragm may be depressed for displacing metal contained Within said receptacle and causing the same to be ejected through said discharge pipe.

7. Apparatus of the'character described, comprising a bowl-like receptacle, means for conducting molten metal tosaid receptacle, a discharge pipe leading from said receptacle and through which, said metal may be discharged at a higher elevation than the level of the metal in the receptacle, a flexible diaphragm overlying the metal in the receptacle and having its peripheral portion mounted upon said receptacle, said diaphragm being composed of thin metal sheets disposed in laminated relation, a knoblike head formed centrally on said diaphragm, said head whereby said diaphragm may be depressed for displacing metal in said receptacle to induce its discharge through said discharge pipe.

8. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a bowl-like receptacle, means for conducting molten metal to said receptacle, a discharge pipe leading from said receptacle and through which, said metal may be discharged at a higher elevation than the level of the metal in the receptacle, a flexible diaphragm overlying the metal in the receptacle and having its peripheral portion mounted upon said receptacle, said diaphragm being composed of thin metal sheets disposed in laminated relation, an upwardly pressed integral head formed centrally on said diaphragm, and means attached to said head whereby said diaphragm may be depressed for displacing metal in said ,receptacle to induce its dischargethrough said discharge pipe.

described,

9. Apparatus of the character comprising a bowl-like receptacle, means for conducting molten metal to said receptacle, a discharge pipe leading from said receptacle and through which, said metal may be discharged at a higher elevation than the level of the metal in the receptacle, a flexible diaphragm overlying the metal in the 10. Apparatus of the character described,

comprising a bowl-like receptacle, means for conducting molten metal to said receptacle, a discharge pipe leading from said receptacle and through which, said metal may be discharged at a higher elevation thanthe level of the metal in the receptacle, :1 flexible diaphragm overlying the metal in the receptacle and having its peripheral portion mounted upon said receptacle, said diaphragm being composed of thin metal sheets disposed in laminated relation,-an upwardly pressed integral head having a reduced neck formed centrally on said diaphragm, a sectional clamp embracing said head and neck, an operating lever, and means connecting said lever to said clamp whereby downwardly directed force applied to said lever will centrally depress said diaphragm for effecting displacement of metal in the receptacle, inducing discharge through said. dis charge pipe.

11. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a bowl-like receptacle, means for conducting molten metal to said receptacle, a discharge pipe leading from said receptacle and through which, said metal may discharged at a higher elevation than the level of the metal in the receptacle, a flexible diaphragm overlying the metal in'the receptacle and having its peripheral portion mounted upon said receptacle, said diaphragm being composed of thin metal sheets disposed in laminated relation, an upwardly pressed integral head having a reduced neck formed centrally on said diaphragm, a sec tional clamp embracing said head and neck, the under face of said clamp being upwardly and outwardly inclined from its inner peripheral edge, an operating lever, and means connecting said lever to said clamp whereby downwardly directed force applied to the former produces a gradual downward flexure of said diaphragm for displacing metal in said receptacle and causing the same to be discharged through said discharge pipe.

12. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a bowl-like receptacle, means for conducting molten metal to said receptacle, a discharge pipe leading from said receptacle and through which, said metal may be discharged at a higher elevation than the level of the metal in the receptacle, a flexible diaphragm overlying the metal in the receptacle and having its peripheral portion mounted upon said receptacle, said diaphragm being composed of thin metal sheets disposed in laminated relation, an upwardly pressed integral head having a reduced neck formed centrally on said diaphragm, a sectional clamp embracing said head and neck, a member rigidly attached to said clamp and maintaining the members thereof in clamping relation to said head and neck, and means for applying downwardly directed force to said member for depressing said diaphragm to effect displacement of metal in said receptacle and cause the same to be discharged through said discharge pipe.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD T. MoGEE.

Witnesses: H. E. DUNLAP,

J. D. Gaow. 

